Latest news with #NetflixSingapore
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: TV series' portrayal of schizophrenia can affect understanding of condition
The drama series Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story has garnered over 1.35 million viewers across Mediacorp's platforms and ranks among the top shows on Netflix Singapore. Its impressive production, strong cast and tribute to our Peranakan heritage are commendable. However, we are concerned about the inaccurate and stigmatising portrayal of schizophrenia in the final episode. The character Zhang Anna, depicted throughout as a manipulative and villainous figure, is abruptly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Yet, she had not exhibited any symptoms consistent with this condition. Schizophrenia is a complex and serious mental disorder characterised by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking, social withdrawal and cognitive difficulties – not cunning, calculated behaviour. The suggestion that schizophrenia serves as an explanation for moral failings or harmful acts conflates a serious medical condition with issues of character. Misrepresenting persons with schizophrenia as threats risks discouraging help-seeking and deepening their social isolation. In our daily work with patients and families, we see how these misconceptions fuel shame, delay treatment and make recovery unnecessarily challenging. When mental illness is used to justify harmful behaviour, it sets back years of public education and anti-stigma efforts. We encourage content creators to consult mental health professionals when portraying psychiatric conditions. Thoughtful and realistic depictions can go a long way in improving awareness, reducing stigma and showing that recovery is possible. Findings from the IMH's Mind Matters: A Study of Mental Health Literacy 2022-2023 show encouraging improvements in public recognition of conditions like depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. However, awareness and understanding of schizophrenia remain low, and many still report a desire to socially distance themselves from those affected. Popular media plays a powerful role in shaping public attitudes. Let us work together to tell stories that are not just compelling, but also responsible and humane. Charmaine Tang (Dr) Senior Consultant Chief, Department of Psychosis & Early Psychosis Intervention Programme Institute of Mental Health (IMH) More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Singaporeans cancel Netflix subscriptions after price hike of up to S$4 monthly
SINGAPORE: Singaporean subscribers to the streaming platform Netflix have shared that they are cancelling their subscriptions after a recent price hike on its monthly subscription plans. The increase, which took effect on Friday (April 18), raised subscription costs by S$2 to S$4, depending on the plan, leading many users to rethink their memberships. CNA Lifestyle reported that the price change affects all three of Netflix Singapore's plans. The Basic plan, for one screen, has gone up from S$13.98 to S$15.98. The Standard plan, for two screens, now costs S$22.98, up from S$19.98. The Premium plan, for four screens with Ultra HD streaming, saw the largest jump, from S$25.98 to S$29.98. This is the fourth time Netflix has raised its prices in Singapore since the service launched in 2016. Previous hikes occurred in January 2020, October 2021, and February last year. On the recent price change, Netflix Singapore told CNA Lifestyle, 'We offer a range of prices and plans to meet a variety of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members, we occasionally ask them to pay a bit more.' Many Singaporeans online were unhappy with the news, with several users sharing their reasons for cancelling their subscriptions. A netizen, who had already cancelled their subscription during the last price increase, said, 'I cancelled my subscription the last time they increased due to the GST spike. Not like I'm missing much.' Another commented, 'It's time to switch out.' One commenter, who watched the latest season of Black Mirror , added, 'So first, you can't share between families, even though they gave that service. Then they raise the price. This is literally the first episode of the new season of Black Mirror .' Another viewer who watched the series echoed this sentiment, quoting a line from the first episode, 'Premium is now standard.' Others shared their frustration, with one saying, 'Just cancelled my subscription. Not worth it, and please la, the shows aren't that fantastic for that amount.' Another remarked, 'There's still a lot of free movies on other websites.' /TISG Read also: HDB resale 1.5% price rise, the slowest growth in 5 quarters, but Singaporeans say, 'still growing lah' Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
CNA
24-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Is it time to cut down your streaming service subscription range?
CNA938 Rewind Netflix Singapore has increased subscription fees for the fourth time since launching here. Recently, Amazon Singapore also raised the price of popular membership plan Prime from $2.99 to $4.99 a month. In light of such fee hikes, is it time to cut down your streaming service subscription range? Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin discuss with Dr Jinna Tay, Senior Lecturer, Communications And New Media, NUS.
New Paper
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Netflix Singapore raises fees for subscription plans again
Streaming giant Netflix has upped the fees of its subscription plans in Singapore once more, following its last price hike just over a year ago. The increase ranges from $2 to $4 across different plans. Those on the Basic plan previously paying $13.98 now have to pay $15.98, while subscribers of the Standard plan will pay $22.98, up from $19.98. Premium users are subject to the biggest price increase, with fees going up to $29.98 from $25.98. In a statement shared with The Straits Times on April 23, Netflix Singapore said: "We offer a range of prices and plans to meet a variety of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members, we occasionally ask them to pay a bit more. We're adjusting prices in Singapore, with memberships starting at $15.98." Standard and Premium users can use Netflix simultaneously on more than one device, and share the plan across households. They enjoy higher resolution videos compared with subscribers on the Basic plan. Netflix launched in Singapore in January 2016. At the time, prices for Basic, Standard and Premium plans were $10.98, $13.98 and $16.98 respectively. They have since gone through several rounds of price increases - in January 2020, October 2021 and February 2024. The streaming service is known for original series such as American science-fiction series Stranger Things (2016 to present), hit K-drama Squid Game (2021 to present) and popular British crime drama Adolescence (2025). It is also known for distributing acclaimed movies such as Alfonso Cuaron's Roma (2018), which won the Mexican film-maker Best Director at the Oscars, as well as the controversial musical movie Emilia Perez (2024), which bagged Zoe Saldana the Best Supporting Actress trophy.
CNA
23-04-2025
- Business
- CNA
Netflix Singapore raises subscription prices, subscribers now paying extra S$2 to S$4 a month
Streaming service Netflix Singapore has increased subscription prices by S$2 to S$4 a month, depending on the plan. 'Starting Apr 18, we're adjusting prices in Singapore, with memberships starting at S$15.98,' Netflix Singapore told CNA Lifestyle. The platform offers three monthly subscription plans. Their prices have increased as such: Basic subscription (one screen): S$13.98 to S$15.98. Standard subscription (two screens): S$19.98 to S$22.98. Premium subscription (four screens, with Ultra HD streaming): S$25.98 to S$29.98. The previous price increase took place in February 2024 when a basic subscription went from S$12.98 to S$13.98, a standard subscription from S$17.48 to S$19.98 and a premium subscription from S$21.98 to S$25.98. Netflix is the streaming platform for popular K-dramas like Squid Game and Business Proposal as well as shows such as Bridgerton and Adolescence. Since its launch in Singapore in January 2016, Netflix has seen four separate price increases: The first in January 2020, another in October 2021, again in February 2024 and now in April 2025. Original prices of the subscription plans were S$10.98 for a basic plan, S$13.98 for a standard plan and S$16.98 for a premium plan.
